Dr. Arvind Shah initiated the Project in the summer of 2005.  Under his leadership Indian American Community and its leaders,  Indian American Cultural  and Business  Organizations in RTP and its Vicinity,  BAPS volunteers,  Entrepreneurs from Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., and  EXPLORIS Museum(Also called Kids Marble Museum) – IAFPE, NC Chapter facilitated the Gandhi Project.  Dr.  Shah   wanted it to be a community project and sought involvement beyond the membership of IAFPE.   He was awared as Community Ambassador in 2007 by Heritage India Association.

Dr.Shah appointed Yash Garg as Chair and Harsha Shah as Co-chair to help him in promoting the Project as well as streamlining  the fundraising activities,  Mr. Prasad Vanguri, Past President of IAFPE-NC Chapter, was given the responsibility to oversee the import of the Gandhi Statue from India.  Pam Hartley, now Interim Director of Exploris Museum, Represented Exploris administration in executing the Project at the EXPLORIS Museum.   It was Dr. Manmohan Sawhney and Mr. Gordon Smith who suggested EXPLORIS to be the appropriate location of Gandhi Statue.  As “Father of modern India,” Mahatma Gandhi has inspired people around the world with his courage, and methods of peaceful resistance and acceptance of diverse religions.  His life and writings also inspired the founders of the museum to build Exploris museum as a place where children and families can build relationships, based on respect and understanding, with people from many cultures.  

With the theme of the project “Enriching Lives; Building Community,” Gandhi Project embarked on getting the fundraising activities underway in 2005 and achieved the goal of raising $85,000 by October 2006.

The following were the fundraising activities for the Gandhi statue project:

1) An Indian film “Mystic India” was screened at the EXPLORIS Museum’s IMAX theatre with Gandhi’s favorite bhajan sung by Madhumita Saha, which raised $6000 for this event.

2) Gandhi Walk-A-Thon, Steps of Peace was coordinated by Yash Garg and Uttam Deedwania of Hindi Vikas Mandal on April 16, 2005 which raised $1100.

3) Heritage India Association of NC had the pleasure of hosting a fundraising Dinner / Music Charity event on May 6, 2006 at the Fiesta Restaurant, Raleigh.  Anita Kulkarni and Shreekant Thaker, talented musicians volunteered to   present a live musical Concert.  $1,200 was collected for Gandhi Statue Project.  

4) “Folk dances of India and a spectacular Fashion Show”—Program team  Dr. Arvind Shah, Harsha Shah, Yash Garg and Aneeta Bhakta along with many other volunteers organized this major fundraising event for the Project on August 5, 2006 at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh, N.C
The program gave a big boost to the fundraising drive – bringing the collection close to $45,000 for the Project.  Dr. Arvind Shah announced that the statue of Mahatma Gandhi arrived in July 2006 in U.S. and a dedication ceremony is scheduled for February 3rd, 2007.
Gandhi statue is a gift to the EXPLORIS Museum in the Capital City of Raleigh from the Indian Community of NC, though mainly from Triangle area.  The Project also provides funds for the maintenance of the Statue. 


Mr. Ram Sutar.  An internationally famed Sculptor from India -- who is decorated with the Government of India’s high honor award of “Padmashri” designed and sculpted this Gandhi statue.  The statue – a 9 feet high bronze creation is a testimony to Mr. Ram Sutar’s creative genius and displays his marvelous skill and flawless execution. 

To conclude with, Dr.Arvind Shah says: I only had a dream, we worked with the Indian  American  community and to-day I am so full of joy and satisfaction in  unveiling the Mahatma Gandhi statue with mayor of Raleigh  Mr. Charles  Meeker and  Chairman of county commissioners Mr. Tony Gurley , In my  opinion Gandhi's principles of Non-violence is more needed in these turbulent times. His principles of passive resistance are also applicable to-day. I enjoyed the full support of the community members in planning, fundraising and attending the unveiling and we thank them for it.  This is a great achievement for the Research Triangle Park community and everybody is proud of.”

Article courtesy:" Yash Garg".

Do not miss the Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations this year, which will include  classical dance performances, essay competitions, organizations and business participation in Mela,hands-on activities, story-telling, Gandhi’s favorite bhajans, demonstrations of cultural arts, Henna, Rangoli and more. Click here for the event details.

On this special day, in memory of our Great leader, Dr.Sudha Om Dhingra contributes her special poem to our ApnaTriangle family. We thank her for sharing all her wonderful contributions with us.